Vigilance urged at EPCC on potential shooters

El Paso Community College Police Chief Jose Ramirez on Friday urged faculty and staff to be more vigilant about shooters and other potential threats to public safety on campuses and in office buildings.

"Sad to say, these are the times that we live in. We get stories from throughout the nation on different shootings pretty often," Ramirez said. "So it's important for everybody to be aware the potential exists and what we can do to protect ourselves a little better."

Ramirez has been conducting "active shooter" workshops in recent weeks, partly in response to shootings that have occurred in public schools and college campuses across the United States in recent months.

"If you're more aware, you may start thinking about what you may be able to do in an emergency situation," Ramirez said. "We're also informing people what to expect when law enforcement responds."

The national debate over guns has intensified since the Dec. 14 killing of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Adam Lanza, the alleged 20-year-old gunman, took his own life.

In Texas, three men were wounded Jan. 22 when gunfire erupted at the Lone Star College's North Harris Campus in Houston. A man identified as Troy Foster has been charged in the shooting.

Ramirez spoke to an estimated 100 faculty and staff at the college's Administrative Services Center on Viscount.

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The college has 28,641 students and 3,221 full-time and part-time faculty and staff, mostly on six campuses throughout El Paso.

Public safety is difficult because the college's open system does not require visitors to sign in when visiting campuses or offices, Ramirez said.

Though some Texas lawmakers are trying to change the law to permit people to carry concealed handguns on college campuses, Ramirez said arming faculty and others is a complicated issue. State law prohibits anyone outside of law enforcement from carrying a firearm into a college building.

"As law enforcement, we're always concerned as to who else has a weapon," Ramirez said. "Handling a weapon requires a lot of training and a lot of responsibility."

Ramirez urged audience members to run, hide or fight back, if possible, if they are confronted by a shooter determined to kill or injure people.

He reminded them that law enforcement officers responding to a shooting will first try to eliminate the threat before helping wounded people and others trapped in buildings.

"Don't make yourself a target -- run away," he said.

College employees applauded the chief's prevention efforts.

"Just being more aware makes me feel more comfortable," said Alice Rosas, a media production specialist.

The college already has a system to notify students, faculty and staff of emergencies and potential threats.

The college also plans to start conducting unannounced emergency drills to create more awareness, Ramirez said.

Ramón Rentería may be reached at rrenteria@elpasotimes.com, 546-6146. Follow him on Twitter@RamonRrenteria or Facebook@RamonRenteriaEPTimes